Escaped inmate recaptured 12 hours later

An inmate who created “a facsimile firearm while in confinement” used the make-believe weapon to escape from the Van Zandt County Jail about 8 p.m. April 27.

Jay Scott McEvers, 47, was recaptured near Wills Point about 12 hours later.

“He used family members and known associates to facilitate this escape,” VZC Sheriff Lindsey Ray said. “Shortly after his escape McEvers’ mother and girlfriend were both taken into custody and we believe that is when his plan began to fall apart.”

McEvers’ mother, Carolyn McEvers, was arrested for facilitating escape, a second degree felony. His girlfriend, Cynthia Heese, was arrested for public intoxication. She could face additional charges pending investigation of the case, Ray said.

“We believe all night long officers stayed one step behind the inmate,” Ray said. “He was able to effectively make use of a series of stolen vehicles to remain at large throughout the night.”

According to the VZC Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, a maroon Chevy Cobalt McEvers is thought to have taken was recovered shortly after midnight a few miles from where it was stolen.

He then took another vehicle.

This incident points to the need to take precaution with your vehicle overnight, Ray said.

It is especially important in rural communities, he said, because “folks in the country tend to be a lot more trusting and they have a habit of leaving the keys inside vehicles. And that was certainly the case last night. He was pretty much able to just take any car that he put his hands on. 

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